2005 · 19 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOT pass rate and common faults

4,031 MOT tests in 2024. 66.3% passed first time, compared with 56.5% for all cars the same age.

117Well above average
Passed first time66.3%
Failed or needed repairs33.7%
Typical mileage at test133,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 4,031 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn7.5%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.1%
    214 marked dangerous
  3. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.9%
  4. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded2.7%
  5. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.7%
    162 marked dangerous
  6. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.6%
  7. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.4%
  8. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play2.1%
  9. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.1%
  10. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.8%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Suspension18.6%
  2. Lights & electrics16.4%
  3. Brakes13.7%
  4. Tyres9.0%
  5. Emissions & leaks6.2%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.9%
  7. Steering3.6%
  8. Body & chassis2.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded23.0%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm21.0%
  3. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn10.0%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened8.5%
  5. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine7.8%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

In 2024, 66.3% of 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class cars passed their MOT first time, across 4,031 tests. The average for all 19-year-old cars was 56.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 117, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).